Dreamworld grandma tells: 'She died in his arms while his 12-year-old daughter looked on'

The grandmother of one of the young children who miraculously survived the Dreamworld ride disaster has spoken out in an emotional statement to Seven News.

Gillian Turner, whose son David was married to victim Kate Goodchild – a mother of two young kids - revealed heartbreaking new details about the tragedy.

‘My son managed to reach his partner, who died in his arms while his 12-year-old daughter looked on screaming in the background,’ revealed Gillian.

‘I’d like to believe that my 12-year-old granddaughter was saved so she could tell her little sister what a wonderful mum Kate was.’

David had been holding the couple’s baby while Kate and their 12 year old daughter went on the ill-fated ride. Despite his best efforts after rushing to her side, nothing could save her.

‘My son and Kate were childhood sweethearts,’ added Gillian, ‘and they will be missed incredibly.’

Gillian concluded by thanking the emergency services personnel who had vainly struggled to save the four people who died on the Thunder River Rapids attraction, praising their ‘sensitive handling of what can only be said is a disaster’.